U.S. Farmers Call for End to Hemp Ban

The American Farm Bureau Federation has approved a new policy resolution that urges the repeal of the classification of industrial hemp as a controlled substance.

The effort, led by the Indiana Farm Bureau at the national group’s annual meeting last week in Texas, puts one of the largest and most influential mainstream farm lobbying organizations squarely in the pro-hemp camp and on record opposing “the classification of industrial hemp as a controlled substance.”

The Farm Bureau before passed a policy resolution supporting industrial hemp research in 1995.

Kentucky Farm Bureau didn’t take any action at its December convention and has no formal policy on hemp, spokesman Dan Smaldone said.

“Kentucky as no stance on it at this point,” Smaldone said. “We do what the members want us to do. Since they’ve not given us that direction yet, that’s where we are.”

Indiana, however, has advocated for it.

“We support the declassification of industrial hemp as a controlled substance because of the opportunity that it provides some farmers to diversify their operations and share in a new market opportunity,” Kyle P. Cline, policy adviser with the Indiana Farm Bureau, said in a news release. “At a time when small farms are innovating and diversifying to remain competitive, we should provide every opportunity to increase farm incomes and allow the next generation the ability to continue living off the land as their families have for generations.

“Industrial hemp is one such opportunity that may work for some farmers in certain regions,” he said. “Furthermore, industrial hemp will allow the U.S. farmer to share in income that is currently going overseas. Right now, it is legal to import hemp but illegal to produce it. Therefore, there is no opportunity currently to share in the profit.”